THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 55 



Family STURNIDiE. 

 Genus STURNUS. 



S. Vulgaris. Starling. 



The Starlino- is a most numerous resident, 

 although, within the memory of many, a Starling's 

 nest was considered a great rarity in the north of 

 the county. Now it is so strongly established, that 

 during the present summer (1885) we observed 

 several pairs nesting in the holes of Sand Martins, 

 presumably for want of more commodious quarters. 



The first broods haunt our meadows in June, 

 and are frequently unattended by any old birds, a 

 percentage of which, as we can personally attest, rear 

 second broods. During August, immense flocks, 

 composed of both adults and young, haunt our 

 salt marshes. In September, the Starlings begin 

 to congregate at their favourite roosts, where great 

 numbers gather in the gloaming, flocking in from 

 all the country side. These vast assemblages of 

 Starlings disperse about the 20th of October, the 

 majority departing south to return in February, 

 occurring in both passages at St. Bees light- 

 house. 



Upon a bright moonlight night these birds may 

 be heard rehearsing their songs at the roost, and 

 in the stillness of midnight the babel of their voices 

 resembles, at a distance, the sound of a volume of 

 rushing water. The individuals which reside near 

 the marshes often imitate the cry of the Curlew to 



